Test an ONVIF Camera

Owned by Guy Avery (Deactivated)
Last updated: Feb 01, 2018

The Navtech AdvanceGuard software supports a number of different camera manufacturers and models. Camera integration is a key part of our security software. Each camera is controlled and positioned accurately using both absolute and relative telemetry commands. Some models have been integrated using proprietary protocols or SDKs, however where possible we try and use the ONVIF protocol for telemetry control. This allows us to focus our attention on one camera driver that will work with the widest range of cameras.

This document includes instructions on how to use Navtech's camera control application, called Cyclops, to test whether our ONVIF driver is compatible with your ONVIF camera.

Navtech's ONVIF driver is based on the ONVIF v2.5 specification. The critical commands used are AbsoluteMove and AbsoluteZoom, so the camera's implementation of the ONVIF protocol must include support for these instructions.

On this page:

Installing Witness Cyclops

To install the Cyclops camera controller:

  1. Ensure you have Microsoft .NET 4.6 installed and are using Microsoft Windows 7 or later.
  2. Download the ZIP file from here.
  3. Unzip the file into a folder on your Windows PC (i.e. your Desktop).
  4. Find the file Witness.Cyclops.exe file and open it.

Connecting to the Camera

  1. Once the application has started, switch to the Manual Control tab.

  2. Select the camera as Generic ONVIF.
  3. Select the connection type Onvif.
  4. Select the ONVIF tab.
  5. Enter the camera connection details:

    1. Camera address (typically of the form http://<IP Address>/onvif).

      Not all cameras works with the same default URL. Many models can work with either http://<IP Address> or http://<IP Address>/onvif. However some require the more specific URL; http://<IP Address>/onvif/device_service. So if the default URL does not work we would recommend trying this longer address.

    2. Camera username and password.
  6. Select the Connect button.

Testing Camera Integration

Once Cyclops has successfully connected to the camera, the log will show the state as connected. In addition the PTZ controls will become enabled:

  1. Test Relative Control:
    1. Ensure the Relative Positioning radio button is selected.
    2. Use the pan and tilt buttons to move the camera left, right, up and down.
    3. Use the + / - buttons to zoom the lens in and out.
    4. All movement and zoom control should work as expected.
  2. Test Absolute Control:
    1. Ensure the Absolute Positioning radio button is selected.
    2. Use the pan and tilt buttons to move the camera left, right, up and down. The camera should move in 1 degree steps.
    3. Enter suitable degree values in the Absolute Pan and Tilt fields and then select Go Absolute. We suggest trying the cardinal pan points to start with - 0, 90, 180, 270.
    4. Move the Absolute Zoom slider and try different zoom values. The camera should zoom in as you increase the value and zoom out as you decrease it.
    5. All absolute movement and zoom should work as expected.

If any of the commands do not work, then it could be a minor incompatibility in our ONVIF implementation. In this situation we would ask to test your camera here at the Navtech offices. We should be able to quickly resolve any issues relating to the ONVIF integration once we have the camera hardware.